rear end swap
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13
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From: Minnesota
rear end swap
well my old rear end out of my 86 f250 locked up on me so i tracked down another one and i noticed that the rear end on my truck the ring gear looks to be bigger than the used rear end i picked up i was wondering if the new one will work they are both 3.55 ratio thank you for your help ill post some pics up
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
when you say that the ring gear looks bigger, do you mean that you took off the differential cover and looked, or just the pumpkin looks bigger? if you ended up with a rear end of a different year, it may be a slightly different rear end, though thats important to know in case you ever want to upgrade the rear. as long as the spring to spring distance is correct, the ratios are the same, and it will bolt up to your wheels and driveshaft you shouldn't have any problems.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
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From: Billings Montana
I'm a little confused. Are you looking at swapping the whole differential or just the ring gears? The differential in the first pic looks like an 8.8" rear end out of a 1/2 ton. The rearend in your truck looks like a Sterling 10.25". The 10.25" means the diameter of the ring gear. If that is an 8.8" rear in the first pic, I'm not 100% sure it will fit.
If your'e looking at swapping out the whole rear end, I'd look for another Sterling rear and avoid a 1/2 ton axle, especially if you tow heavy loads.
If your'e looking at swapping out the whole rear end, I'd look for another Sterling rear and avoid a 1/2 ton axle, especially if you tow heavy loads.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 508
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From: Easthampton, Ma.
The standard rears in the half tons (F150-Bronco) is the 8.8 and the 9".
Ford also put the 8.8 in the F250's and E250's with a semi-float 8 lug axle.
The 8.8 is a lighter duty rear, however still a good one!
As long as the rear you are installing came out of a truck (same leaf spring mounting width) and is the same ratio, you should have no problems.
Steve G.
Ford also put the 8.8 in the F250's and E250's with a semi-float 8 lug axle.
The 8.8 is a lighter duty rear, however still a good one!
As long as the rear you are installing came out of a truck (same leaf spring mounting width) and is the same ratio, you should have no problems.
Steve G.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Minnesota
everything went really smoothly except for the drive shaft length, i need to get mine extended about 3" un less you guys have any other suggestions
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
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don't suppose the first rear end was a 10.25 full floater and the second rear end was a dana 60 both in 3.55...both will fit but this wiuld explain the wonderful 3" difference in the drive shaft. (can you get the driveshaft out of the truck you got the new rear end out of?...becha it's longer by 3"")_!!!! 
